ShamrockDreams2.jpg
I started a series of seasonal wallhangings to learn quilting skills. They were small enough to machine quilt and I could be creative. This is my attempt at Irish Chain for March. I added the shamrocks for applique practice.
Things I learned:
1. Cutting the strips precisely is important.
2. Squaring up the blocks helped tremendously. I will admit this was my first serious attempt to square up blocks and I was impressed. The blocks assemble much better. (I had done twister quilts before that didn't need this degree of exactness.)
3. Decided I wasn't a big fan of variegated thread for quilting. It wasn't consistent with the color and looks a tad strange in places. I used warm and natural and it is quilted at 6 inches, so it should wash if I ever have to need to do so.
4. I did minimal quilting on this since I wanted to display it for March and decided at the last moment to do this. Managed to make this in a week.
5. Learned I am not yet confident enough to do outline quilting around the shamrocks. I practiced on a scrap block and it just wasn't happening.
6. Got lots of practice appliqueing curves. I went so S-L-O-W...but I got it done.
7. Using a design wall was helpful. BUT I need to study the design for awhile before I put it together. It seems like I make a silly mistake every time I don't spot until the quilt is finished. This time the stems on the last two rows do not match the upper rows. I did not spot this until it was displayed on my wall. I think the whole problem is I tried to cut the shamrock two at a time and the stem went the opposite direction of the folded fabric. Will cut things one at a time from now on.
8. I enjoyed making the Irish Chain and want to make a larger version. I had a hard time getting started, but after I got going it was better.
9. I need to do the math better....I miscounted the rows...I really need two more rows so it won't be square...That is the reason I added the larger green at bottom and top.
Have a great March!
I started a series of seasonal wallhangings to learn quilting skills. They were small enough to machine quilt and I could be creative. This is my attempt at Irish Chain for March. I added the shamrocks for applique practice.
Things I learned:
1. Cutting the strips precisely is important.
2. Squaring up the blocks helped tremendously. I will admit this was my first serious attempt to square up blocks and I was impressed. The blocks assemble much better. (I had done twister quilts before that didn't need this degree of exactness.)
3. Decided I wasn't a big fan of variegated thread for quilting. It wasn't consistent with the color and looks a tad strange in places. I used warm and natural and it is quilted at 6 inches, so it should wash if I ever have to need to do so.
4. I did minimal quilting on this since I wanted to display it for March and decided at the last moment to do this. Managed to make this in a week.
5. Learned I am not yet confident enough to do outline quilting around the shamrocks. I practiced on a scrap block and it just wasn't happening.
6. Got lots of practice appliqueing curves. I went so S-L-O-W...but I got it done.
7. Using a design wall was helpful. BUT I need to study the design for awhile before I put it together. It seems like I make a silly mistake every time I don't spot until the quilt is finished. This time the stems on the last two rows do not match the upper rows. I did not spot this until it was displayed on my wall. I think the whole problem is I tried to cut the shamrock two at a time and the stem went the opposite direction of the folded fabric. Will cut things one at a time from now on.
8. I enjoyed making the Irish Chain and want to make a larger version. I had a hard time getting started, but after I got going it was better.
9. I need to do the math better....I miscounted the rows...I really need two more rows so it won't be square...That is the reason I added the larger green at bottom and top.
Have a great March!
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